The 53-year-old Shahan was arrested by Homeland Security agents at the Nashville airport on New Year's Day as he was attempting to board a plane to Germany, Homewood Police Chief Jim Roberson said during a news conference last week. Exact details as to why Shahan was charged at this point in the investigation are still limited. The arrest warrant charging Shahan won't be made public until he is formally served the papers.

Homewood police said they have established a motive in the slaying, but have not released any details."It will become readily apparent as we move into the trial process," Roberson said. "There are very few new details of which we can go into great elaboration because it is an ongoing investigation."

Karen Louise Shahan's body was discovered about 11:15 a.m. July 23 inside the family's Hugh Circle home. Police have not confirmed how she was killed, but sources told AL.com she was stabbed to death.

Authorities said that Shahan told investigators that he was out of town visiting one of the couple's two sons when his wife's body was found.

Her husband, an associate pastor at First Baptist Church of Birmingham, was jailed for "investigative purposes" in August, but was released without being charged. Shortly after his release, the pastor took paid administrative leave from his post as Children and Families Pastor and the Facilities Director at First Baptist. He resigned from his position at the church Dec. 31.

Authorities have not released more details about Shahan's return to Jefferson County, citing security reasons.